STR Cribs Airbnb Design, Renovation and Financing Services Review

STR Cribs offers the most comprehensive design and renovation services for Airbnb rental properties in the US. Whether you need help designing your property in line with local trends or you need major renovations, the company can handle the job from end to end. In addition, STR Cribs offers competitive financing options to cover the associated expenses without imposing tedious procedures and exuberant interest.

In this STR Cribs review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the services that the company provides to short-term rental investors. This includes the available services, the related processes, the markets where the company operates, and the costs of different projects as well as before and after photos of Airbnbs designed and renovated by STR Cribs. Finally, we’ll suggest some of the most popular competitors of STR Cribs so that you can compare services and costs and choose the option that best fits your needs.

To learn more about how STR Cribs can help you turn your property into a top-performing Airbnb listing in any US market, book a call with STRCribs today.

STR Cribs Overview

STR Cribs is a leading done-for-you Airbnb design, renovation, and construction company. Founded by Joshua Lewis in 2020, STR Cribs has its headquarters in Clearwater, FL but is able to serve vacation rental hosts nationwide. The company’s mission is to be a partner with a proven track record of Airbnb investors who want the best-performing property without the need to deal with the reality of bad designers and contractors who don’t understand what makes a winning short-term rental.

To achieve its mission, STR Cribs works as a one-stop design and renovation partner for vacation rental property owners nationally. The company works with the top 5% contractors in each market after diligently vetting them and making sure they are licensed and insured. STR Cribs delivers a seamless Airbnb design and renovation process with the fastest handoff in the US. All work comes with a minimum of 6 months of guarantee. In addition, the company uses short-term rental data from major providers, such as AirDNA and Rabbu, to boost results each step of the way.

Owing to the high level of professionalism and the data-backed decisions, STR Cribs-designed properties see a 40% boost in the average daily rate (ADR), a 64% increase in the Airbnb occupancy rate, and a $50,000+ rise in annual revenue.

Another factor that makes STR Cribs stand out from competitors is that it has the capacity to handle large-scale renovation projects including Airbnb amenities installation, while most companies focus on design and furnishing only. This makes STR Cribs a perfect fit for new construction as well as for distressed properties in need of major repairs and upgrades.

The company has more than 200 projects in its portfolio. Currently, STR Cribs customers are driving over $20 million in annual rental income.

STR Cribs Services for Airbnb Hosts

STR Cribs provides a range of services that can help investors and hosts get their properties ready for listing and welcoming guests in the most suitable and efficient way for boosting results. The company treats each property as a unique space that should not simply be designed for functionality and aesthetics but also correspond to the target guests and the experiences that it is meant to offer.

STR Cribs services for short-term rentals include:

• Full-service Airbnb design and furnishing
• Remote Airbnb e-design
• End-to-end Airbnb renovation
• Financing for STR design and renovation

Let’s take a look at each of these services in detail:

STR Cribs Full-Service Airbnb Design Services

STR Cribs can help vacation rental investors get their property guest-ready from scratch, including white-glove installation and setup. In this way, remote hosts as well as beginners with no design experience can have their properties optimized for the standards of the hospitality industry, the local short-term rental market needs, and the expectations of ideal guest personas.

The services available under STR Cribs Airbnb design and furnishing cover:

• Design visualization: Stunning 3D renderings of the interior space for a photorealistic visual of the final design; inspirational mood boards including images, colors, and other features to communicate the design vision; and detailed 3D scan of the interior space to guide the design process
• Space planning and layout: Detailed 2D CAD drawings of the interior floorplan with spatial reference; furniture arrangement and space flow plan optimized for functionality and harmony within the property; custom cabinetry layouts designed for functionality; style tailoring storage solutions; customized built-ins designs to complement the interior architecture and style and add functional storage; and strategic plan for outdoor space including plant selection and placement, pathways, and aesthetic features
• Architectural detailing and design: Detailed 2D interior elevations with key details on each wall surface from floor to ceiling; detailed lighting plan showing fixture locations and specifications; and detailed illustrations of the exterior aspects of the property including elevations and materials
• Material and fixture selections: In-person visits to design centers and suppliers to select key materials such as tile, countertops, flooring, and others; assistance in the selection of paint colors and wall coverings that align with your design vision; guided selection of finishes like flooring, hardware, molding, and other details that add style; help in choosing the ideal lighting fixtures that create the right ambiance for the space; and guidance in selecting plumbing fixtures that match you needs and style preferences
• Furnishings and decor selections: Collaboration on the selection of furniture pieces that complement the interior design; guidance in choosing window treatments that offer functionality and align with the design aesthetics; assistance in selecting art, mirrors, wall decor, and other items to add personality and visual interest to the space; and assistance in choosing effective accent pieces that add the necessary final finishing touches to the space

With these services, STR Cribs can turn any property into a top-performing short-term rental, regardless of each type, size, and location.

STR Cribs Remote Airbnb E-Design Services

STR Cribs offers virtual Airbnb design to DIY hosts who’d like to save on the total cost of furnishing their property and don’t mind doing some of the work on their own.

With STR Cribs remote e-design, owners get detailed floorplans that are tailored to the specifications of their rental and the requirements of their target guests. Moreover, the company provides a list of necessary furniture and decor items to complete the design.

Similar to full-service Airbnb design, the concept here is also developed based on industry-leading vacation rental data that guarantees attractive listing photos, more bookings, and higher income and profit.

STR Cribs Airbnb Renovation Services

STR Cribs is also able to take care of properties that demand more substantial work to be prepared for listing. Once again, all renovation decisions are backed by reliable data to optimize performance and beat the competition.

STR Cribs renovation services include:

• Interior services: Custom-made cabinetry designs and installations; custom carpentry and woodwork services; bespoke closet organization solutions; diverse countertop installation options; high-quality flooring installations; expert insulation and drywall services; precision painting and furnishing services; elegant shower wall installation; design and construction of custom stairways; and custom or pre-purchased vanity installation 
• Utilities and systems installation: Safe and reliable electrical services; efficient HVAC installation and repair; expert plumbing services; and solar panel consultation, installation, and maintenance
• Structural and exterior services: Customized gates and fencing installation; comprehensive construction services; quality glass installation and repair; top-tier roofing and gutter solutions; detailed structural engineering plans and consultations; quality stucco and exterior finishes; and window and door installation
• Outdoor and landscaping: Custom deck and patio construction; creative landscaping and garden designs; custom pool design and construction services; and expert tile and stone installation services
• Amenities: Mini golf, pickleball, basketball, outdoor bowling, fire pits, disc golf, playsets, cowboy tubs, hot tubs, giant chess, volleyball courts, kid cities, custom bunk beds, game rooms, movie theaters, amenity filled interiors, custom swings, golf simulators, shuffle boards, and more
• Specialized installations: Professional home audio-video installation; advanced noise reduction and soundproofing; and cutting-edge smart home automation services
• Safety and environmental services: Safe and efficient demolition and mold, lead, and asbestos remediation

With these services, STR Cribs can transform even the most distressed house into a top-ranking Airbnb listing, with no need for the active involvement of the owner.

STR Cribs Airbnb Design and Renovation Financing Services

Finally, STR Cribs provides financing options specifically designed for Airbnb renovation and furnishing projects at very competitive terms. Owners can access between $3,000 and $150,000 in financing for STR Cribs design and renovation projects, sometimes at 0% interest. Moreover, there are no credit checks involved, which makes STR Cribs a good option for those who don’t qualify for conventional loans while also speeding up the process.

STR Cribs financing comes with flexible terms under two main options:

• Option #1: There is no interest and there are no monthly payments as long as you pay back the amount within the first 12 months. Otherwise, interest is accrued at 19.9%.
• Option #2: Monthly payments are low, and the loan duration can extend up to 15 years.

These Airbnb loans and financing services allow hosts to get their properties guest-ready even when they don’t have the necessary cash in order to start their short-term rental business and begin to make money from Airbnb. They can use the earnings to pay the loan according to their income and comfort level.

STR Cribs Airbnb Design and Renovation Process

Working with STR Cribs requires just a few simple steps to get your property transformed into a top Airbnb opportunity.

Here are the steps you need to go through:

1. Discovery call: The owner and the STR Cribs team discuss the ultimate goals, the available budget, and what’s possible and what’s not in addition to going through market data to see the best options. This call is entirely free and does not require commitment on behalf of the owner.
2. Decision: After the initial call, STR Cribs presents a rough estimate of the scope of work, the necessary timeline, the expected budget, and other details that help the owner decide if this is the right fit for their project. If the host decides to hire the company, they need to pay a deposit and sign a written agreement.
3. Design/renovation plan: The STR Cribs team works on a comprehensive design and/or renovation plan that considers the owner’s feedback and preferences along the way. The host has 24/7 access to a dedicated project manager for all communication and requests. This step ends with the owner’s approval of the final proposals and bids. This process takes 1-2 weeks.
4. Design/renovation process: The STR Cribs team implements the design and/or renovation plan while dealing with all necessary permits and other legal requirements. Owners receive weekly updates with photos. At the end, STR Cribs applies all final touches, thoroughly cleans the property, organizes a professional photoshoot, and even stocks guest supplies for a fully ready short-term rental. This step requires 2-8 weeks.

It’s important to note that owners are consulted every step of the way and all plans require their approval before being put into action. Moreover, owners are constantly kept in the loop to know where exactly the project stands. However, hosts don’t need to do any of the legwork, which makes STR Cribs a perfect option for remote investors as well as those with full-time jobs outside real estate.

STR Cribs Airbnb Design, Furnishing, and Renovation Timeline

STR Cribs full-service Airbnb design and furnishing works take 3-10 weeks to complete, while virtual design services take less time. The 10-week timeline is necessary for major renovation projects, but most projects need less than that.

To break down, the development of the renovation or design plan takes 1-2 weeks, and the implementation phase requires 3-8 weeks, depending on the scope of work.

STR Cribs Geographical Coverage for Airbnb Design and Renovation Services

STR Cribs operates across the entire US market, covering all 50 states. The company has the capacity to renovate, design, and furnish vacation rentals in both major cities and remote locations, including all the best short-term rental markets as well as niche markets.

STR Cribs Pricing and Financing

The cost of STR Cribs services depends on multiple factors including:

• Scope of work: Design and furnishing vs complete renovation
• Type of services: Remote e-design is significantly cheaper at $5-$10/square foot but is considerably less comprehensive.
• Property type and size
• Number of rooms
• Outdoor spaces
• Furniture quality and brands
• Level of finishing
• Market

STR Cribs rates are competitive and give owners access to industry discounts when purchasing furniture and decor or hiring contractors. In this way, owners are typically able to save money compared to DIY projects.

Hosts receive an estimate of the total cost after the discovery call and before committing to hiring the company. The final price is determined once the design or renovation plan is finalized.

STR Cribs Reviews

STR Cribs-designed listings have generated over 8,000 5-star reviews by guests on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Tripadvisor, Expedia, and other booking channels. Guests are overly satisfied with the gorgeous properties, the modern furnishings, and the amazing amenities providing outstanding entertainment opportunities.

STR Cribs Pros and Cons

Before deciding whether to work with STR Cribs, it’s important to consider both the advantages and the disadvantages that the company provides compared to DIY design and other Airbnb furnishing services.

Let’s take a look at the STR Cribs benefits and downsides:

STR Cribs Pros

The chief advantages of hiring STR Cribs include:

• Airbnb expertise and focus
• Data-driven designs and decisions
• Substantial performance boost for more revenue and profit
• Flexibility to choose between design concept and full-service furnishing
• Ability to work on smaller and larger projects
• Owner’s feedback considered in all stages
• Passive investing
• Competitive pricing accompanied by access to industry discounts
• Access to specialized financing options for Airbnb design, furnishing, and renovation, including 0% interest rate opportunities
• Efficient implementation timelines
• National market coverage

STR Cribs Cons

Meanwhile, some minor inconveniences associated with working with STR Cribs include:

• Designer fees (STR Cribs fees are generally more than compensated for by accessing industry discounts when buying furniture and decor items via the company)
• Loss of some control over the design (the STR Cribs team works along with owners all the steps of the way to accommodate their preferences and get their final approval)

All in all, hiring STR Cribs to renovate, design, and furnish your Airbnb property comes with significantly more pros than cons and is totally worth it.

Portfolio of STR Cribs-Designed and Renovated Properties

To give you a visual idea of the Airbnb designs implemented by STR Cribs, following are photos of various rooms and spaces designed and furnished by the company:

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Before and After Photos of Spaces Designed and Renovated by STR Cribs

To further appreciate the services provided by STR Cribs, following are before and after pictures of rooms and outdoor spaces within properties designed and furnished by the company that show the possible level of transformation:

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How to Get Started with STR Cribs

To get started with STR Cribs, all you need to do is to book a call with Mark Lumpkin, the Head of Host Success, or simply call/text him at 541-606-7200.

Top STR Cribs Alternatives and Competitors

When choosing the right Airbnb design and furnishing company for their needs, hosts should consider a few different options to find the best value for money.

Here are the best STR Cribs competitors in the US market:

STR Cribs vs Somerled Designs

Somerled Designs is a short-term rental design and furnishing company that focuses on themed Airbnbs. Bri West and Jordan Patchell McDonough launched Somedled Designs in 2022, with headquarters in Highland, UT, to support hosts in enhancing ROI via research-based designs and furnishings.

Somerled Designs offers two different packages: 1) Virtual designs (similar to STR Cribs remote e-design services) and 2) Design and project management (similar to STR Cribs full-service design and furnishing). However, the company does not engage in large-scale renovation projects and specializes in design and furnishing services only, which makes its portfolio of services less comprehensive than the STR Cribs’.

The Somerled Designs process entails the following:

1. Strategy preparation
2. Design boards
3. Floor maps
4. Furniture sourcing and shopping
5. Delivery coordination
6. Furniture installation
7. Decoration and staging
8. Photoshoot directing

Owners are directly involved to provide feedback and final signoff.

Somedled Designs needs an average of 4-5 weeks for virtual designs and 10-11 weeks for full-service projects. The company has nationwide coverage. The price depends on multiple factors. Somerled Designs estimates the average cost of furnishing a common space (living room, dining room, game room, etc.) at $6,000, while the estimate is $5,000 for a bedroom.

STR Cribs vs Showplace

Showplace is another close alternative to STR Cribs, albeit working at a smaller scale. Justin Miller and Dan Palumbo started the company in 2019, with headquarters in Denver, CO, to provide hosts with expert design and products that are individualized for each property, target guests, and owner’s budget.

Showplace provides two different services: 1) Pre-made design packages and 2) Custom design services. With the first option, owners can choose from 10+ popular Airbnb design styles including Modern, Bohemian, Cabin, Transitional, Scandinavian, Minimalist, and others that come with itemized lists of necessary furniture and decor pieces. Lists can be customized to the needs of different properties and the preferences of hosts. With custom design, the Showplace team delivers a design concept developed from scratch in addition to sourcing the necessary items. Delivery and setup services are available through their network of local contractors.

The Showplace custom Airbnb design and furnishing process requires the following steps:

1. Introductory call
2. Design strategy
3. Detailed design plan including mood boards and floorplans
4. Sourcing and shopping
5. Setup (optional)

Airbnb hosts are integrated in each step to provide feedback and approval.

The implementation of pre-made designs takes 3-4 weeks (mostly for shipping), while custom designs require 6 weeks. This is shorter than the STR Cribs timeline, on average, because Showplace does not do major repairs and amenity installations.

In terms of Showplace pricing, the furniture included in pre-made packages costs about $12,000-$15,000 for a 3-bedroom home with no design costs. Meanwhile, custom design implementation is in the range of $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the property, the location, and the level of furnishing. Consolidated delivery is charged additionally at $3,000-$5,000, and white-glove installation costs $6,000-$10,000. Showplace works nationwide.

STR Cribs vs Furnishr

Furnishr is yet another STR Cribs competitor in the vacation rental design and furnishing industry. Though the company doesn’t work with short-term rentals only, it has solid experience in the business. Michael Van and Karen Lau established the company in 2018, with headquarters in Toronto, Canada, with the aim of helping owners transform their properties with full peace of mind.

Furnishr offers full-service design and furnishing without major renovation services. The most demanded styles that the company works with include Bohemian, Coastal, Midcentury Modern, Transitional, Contemporary, Glam, and others. Each design is customized to the specific space and the preferences of the owner.

The Furnishr process looks like this:

1. Online design questionnaire
2. Consultation call
3. Payment of a design fee ($300)
4. Design development including adding, removing, and changing items
5. Shopping
6. Logistics

Owners are involved throughout the process. At the end, properties are set up and properly cleaned before the handover.

Getting a property guest-ready with Furnishr requires 4-6 weeks. The cost depends on multiple factors but is generally between $5,000-$9,000 for a studio and $18,000-$48,000+ for a 4+-bedroom home. Furnishr provides services in all US states except Hawaii.

Bottom Line

Our review of STR Cribs Airbnb design, renovation, and financing services shows that the company provides the most comprehensive services across the US market. Yet, owners have the flexibility to choose between large-scale renovations to remodel and update their property and design and furnishing services to get it guest-ready. Hosts on a tight budget can also opt in for virtual design that costs significantly less. STR Cribs works across the US market and has experience with different types of vacation rental properties.

To discuss your unique property and how it can outperform the competition to boost annual income with $50,000+, book a call with STR Cribs.